I currently have a 4S and will be getting my new 5S delivered today. I ordered directly from Apple. What's the best way to activate my new 5S, for use with AT&T, from home? I will be restoring from a backup on my PC using iTunes. Confused on how and where to start.
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Ordered from Apple, want to activate at home for use with AT&T.
- Thread starter Space Ace
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if the SIM in the 4S is not compatible you will need to acquire the proper AT&T SIM. Then you can request the number be moved to that new SIM.
With T-Mobile you can do it online. Not sure about AT&T. Otherwise just call AT&T and they will move your number to the new SIM.
Cheers,
I don't know how AT&T does it, but I'm sure most carriers are similar. In my case, I also moved from a 4s to a 5s earlier this week and am with Bell Mobility in Canada. They have an online tool to do it.
Assuming the process is similar, you need to make sure there is a SIM in the new phone when you set it up. When presented with the option to set up from a backup, do that (iCloud or iTunes). Make sure you've moved over all your purchases and if using iTunes, I recommend doing an encrypted backup so all your passwords move over as well. Finish the setup before setting it up with your carrier.
You'll need two pieces of information when your transfer your existing plan to the new phone, the ICCID and IMEI for the new phone. First item is the phone's ID and second ID of the SIM. These can be found under Settings->General->About.
When entering these items into my carrier's online tool, they needed to verify that I owned the OLD phone. A verification text was sent to me with a code which I entered. I entered that into the tool and then a confirmation email was sent to me with some other info .
Upon reboot of the new phone, my service was active on the 5s and the 4s showed "No Service"
Of course AT&T may do it differently, but however you do it with them, the process should be similar.
Enjoy the new phone. The 4s to 5s upgrade is a great one.
You're in the US?
You ordered an AT&T specific phone from Apple?
Then if it's anything like the times I've gotten a new iPhone, you simply turn it on and follow the setup prompts. The activation step will get your new phone working and will disable cell service on your old phone. Super simple.
Turn it on. Activate the phone. After activation it will ask you if you want to setup as new phone or restore from backup. Pick restore from backup and you will be on your way.
Before starting however, backup your iPhone 4S and sync to itunes.
Before starting however, backup your iPhone 4S and sync to itunes.
My experience with AT&T is far simpler. Assuming you used your standard upgrade (paid the subsidized rate of $199/$299/$399) your device will come with a SIM pre-installed with your information. All you need to do is turn it on and follow the onscreen guide, and your number will automatically work. You should get a text welcoming you to AT&T, but this is nothing more than recognition that you have changed phones. Your old phone will then no longer be active until someone with an active SIM places theirs inside of it. The old SIM inside of the 4S is not compatible with your new phone (different sizes) so no need to worry about that at all; it simply deactivates itself. In other words, I can still turn my iPhone 4 on and it just doesn't connect to the network but Wifi still works.
As for the restore from iTunes, your best bet (I believe) is to:
1) Plug into iTunes after you have gone through the onscreen prompts and entered your iCloud information, etc. The iCloud stuff will get your contacts/etc. on to your phone. The iTunes restore will just make all of your apps and photos come back, and your phone will essentially be what your 4s was (settings and everything as was). Make sure your 4S is the updated to the latest software when you do this, so do a final backup to iTunes before restoring the 5s.
2) You can even plug your new phone directly into iTunes before ever turning it on. The same process will occur but this will probably be more streamlined as the computer itself may ask to restore your phone right away, so this could be easiest.
The other replies mentioned having to call AT&T or using an online tool, but I have never had to do that at all. It should just work.
Finally, enjoy your new phone! Mine comes today as well.